2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Le Tintot
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Assertive aromas of fresh blackberry, cherry pie, garrigue and candied flowers, along with an exotic touch of Moroccan spices. At once rich and lively in character, offering palate-staining black and blue fruit flavors and hints of violet pastille and five-spice powder. Picks up a smoky nuance with air and finishes chewy and long, with dusty tannins framing resonating spice and floral notes.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
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Similar to Beaucastel’s top cuvée, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tintot is a Mourvèdre-dominated (there’s 15% Grenache) behemoth that's going to require bottle age. Cured meats, toasted spice, graphite, and leafy herbs all flow to a thick, rich, powerful wine that has building tannins and a great, great finish. I suspect this puppy will shut down quickly, so try a bottle (or two) in the short-term and hide the rest for a good 4-6 years. This cuvée comes all from the Boislauzon lieu-dit, was completely destemmed and brought up all in older barrels.
Deep ruby. A powerfully scented, complex bouquet displays mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and smoky mineral aromas that expand and become spicier with air. Sweet, concentrated red and blue fruit, spicecake and candied lavender flavors show a surprisingly light touch. Velvety, slow-mounting tannins shape a broad, smoke-accented finish that hangs on with strong, floral-driven tenacity.